Fence construction



H. G. THOMSON FENCE CONSTRUCTION Nov. 22, 1927.

Filed May 13, 1927 Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE.

HERBERT G. THoMsomoE NEW YORK, N. AssiGNoR TO AivciroE POST EENcE COM- PANY, OF GARWOOD, NEW. JEE-sEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FENCE CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed May 13, 1927. Serial No. 191,031.

This invention relates to fence structures wherein heavy wire fabric of the chain-link type, in connection withsupporting rails and posts, is employed, having especial reference to means for fastening the rails to the posts.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive construction whereby an effective and reliable attachment of the rails tothe posts can be easily and rapidly accomplished, which attachment permits and facilitates the erection of the fence, or sections thereof, in various angular directions in accordance with the requirements of the plot to be enclosed.

The invention, in its preferred form, comprises spaced apart posts to which the marginal end links of the fence fabric are attached, and a supporting rail or rails extending longitudinally of the fabric adjacent the upper edge of the latter, and being loosely jointed to the respective posts. A similar rail or rails may be likewise mounted and arranged at the bottom of the fence fabric, and, in addition, a rail 01- rails may be disposed between the top and bottom rails, if desired. The joint herein illustrated for each end of the rail or rails comprises a pair of complementary fittings of novel construction, one of which is fastened to the adjacent post and the other of which fittings is mounted in and projects from the adjacent end of the rail or rails, as will be hereinafter fully described. The scope of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a fence, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the struc ture, as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the rail and one of its joint fittings, as on the line- 88 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the posts showing its joint fitting, the complementary fitting of the rail being in section, as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rail fitting detached.

Referring to the drawings, 6 designates spaced apart posts of a fence structure, the posts shown being tubular and of generally rectangular cross-section.

7 designates a portion of chain-link fence fabric which extends between the posts and is secured thereto at its respective ends. In the present instance the fabric is thus secured by means of locking members 8 which are fixed tothe posts and engaged with vertical restraining bars 8 through the marginal end links of the fabric, as particularly described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,631,942, dated June 7, 19:27.

9 designates a tubular supporting rail which extends rearwardly and longitudinally of the upper edge of the fence fabric, which rail is connected at its ends to the respective posts. As herein illustrated each end of the rail is jointed to the adjacent post by means of two complementary fittings, viz: a part 10 which is afiixed to the adjacent end of the rail, and a part 11 which is secured to the inner face of the post.

The part 10 consists of a U-shaped member having substantially parallel legs 12 of substantial length which are forcibly driven into the open end of the rail a sufficient extent to provide a rigid projecting eye portion 13 at the extremity of the rail. This part 10 is composed of metal of oval crosssection, thus presenting a close fitting curved surface to the interior wall of the rail and also providing an eye portion having a rounded interior face.

The part 11 consists of a vertical eye member 14 having upper and lower lugs 15 suitably perforated for the passage of screws or bolts. This part 11 is fitted to the projecting eye portion 13 at the end of the rail to afford a flexible. or hinge-like joint be tween the parts, and the lugs 15 are then fixed by bolts or screws 16 to the inner face of the post. The rail thus jointed to the adjacent post 6 can be readily swung to any desired angle, within limits, in respect to the post, and the opposite end of the rail then be similarly connected to the other post which is properly positioned in accordance with the requirements of the plot to be enclosed.

The eye member of the fitting 10 is preferably inwardly offset from the median vertical line .of the fence post, so that when the parts are assembled the fence fabric will be substantially flush with the outer face of th p t, as s en in F g.- 2-

extending I claim 1. In a fence structure, the combination of spaced-apart posts, fence fabric secured thereto, a supporting rail, and means flexibly connecting the ends of the rail to the respective posts, said means comprising eye fittings secured to and projecting from the respective ends of the rail, and complementary eye fittings secured to the respective posts.

2. In a fence structure, the combination of spaced-apartposts, fence fabric secured thereto, a tubular supporting rail for the fabric, andmeans flexibly connecting the ends of the rail to the'respective posts, said means comprising U-members having legs of substantial length forcibly held in the ends .of the tubular rail and providing projecting eyemembers, and complementary eye members secured to the respective posts.

In a fence structure, the combination of spaceclapart post-s, fence fabric secured thereto, a -tubular supporting rail for, the fabric,; and means flexibly connecting the ends of the rail to the respective posts, said means comprising U-bars composed of metal of oval cross-section and having legs of substantial length forcibly held in the ends of the tubular rail and providing projecting eyev members, and complementary eye :members secured to the respective posts.

d. In a fence structure, the combination of spaced-apart posts, chain-link fabric secured thereto, a tubular supporting rail for the fabric, and means flexibly connecting the ends of the rail to the respective posts, said means comprising U-members having legs of substantiallength forcibly held in the ends of the tubular rail and providing projecting eye members, and fittings secured to the respective posts and providing complementary eye members for the respective eye members of the rail, -said complementary eye members beingoifset rearwardly from the median lines of the respective posts.

Signed at New York in the county and State of New York this 11th day of May, A. D. 1927. c

HERBERT G. THOMSON. 

